In the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Potter was shown using a magical device, called Omniocular, to watch his favourite sport of Quidditch. But the new device, its developers claimed, allows a birdwatcher to record a sighting of a rare species and then send proof to other twitchers within minutes. A GPS receiver also notes the position of the sighting.
They will let golf and cricket spectators enjoy their own action-replays at live tournaments or test matches. And the technology also allows music fans to record and watch concerts in 3D, while recording the sound in stereo.
Electronics giant Sony said its “vinoculars”, or video binoculars, are the first devices of their kind in the world. Unlike conventional models which rely on two sets of lenses side by side to make distant objects appear closer, the hi-tech version captures images using two miniature cameras positioned in parallel.
The images are displayed live on high-definition screens in the eyepieces, mimicking the look and experience of traditional binoculars. But at the press of a button the glasses record images either in ordinary video or in 3D, which can then be played back on a 3D television.
The vinoculars can also capture still photographs, with all images and videos saved to a memory stick.
Because they can record sound, birdwatchers will be able to capture birdsong and sports fans will be able to record the reaction of spectators. And there won’t be the usual frustrating fiddle to bring an image into focus, as the vinoculars also come with electronic autofocus and “steadyshot” technology to stop images shaking even when magnified up to 20 times.
